Corte al congreso: Poder judicial y trámite legislativo en colombia

Abstract

Courts can have direct and indirect influence on the legislative process. Thus far, studies of the Colombian Congress have mainly focused on the Constitutional Court’s direct influence on the legislature. This article explores the court’s indirect influence. Through a case study of the 2012 Military Criminal Code Reform, it shows how the court changes legislators’ calculations and behavior when discussing a bill. Due to its independence and accessibility, the Constitutional Court provides minority coalitions in Congress with a wider array of strategies they may engage with. The article identifies and characterizes two obstruction tactics: to invite the court (by documenting, inciting, or maximizing procedural irregularities) and constitutionality challenges before the court. Together, these two strategies allow minority coalitions to block bills and advance their agenda.